Snapper fishing in Melbourne is a must-try experience, with the prime season spanning from October to March. For your best chance at catching a personal best snapper, fishing from a boat is ideal. If you don’t have a boat or need one equipped for fishing, hire a boat specifically set up for Port Phillip Bay fishing!”
When to fish for Snapper in Melbourne?
Peak Season
Spring to Early Summer (October to December): The temperature tends to start rising in late September but Snapper are present all year round in the bay.
The prime time for snapper fishing in Melbourne is between October & December. As the water temperatures start to rise, Snapper moves into Port Phillip Bay and Western Port Bay to spawn.
During this time, larger schools of snapper are more accessible to anglers.
Late Season
Late Summer to Early Autumn (January to March): The fishing remains good, although the size of the snapper caught can vary. As the season progresses, the fish tend to move to deeper waters, which might require a different approach or equipment for successful fishing.
Conditions
The best water temperature conditions are between 15 and 19 degrees.
Look for a rising barometer.
Westerly, South Westerly and North Westerly winds seem to produce the best fishing conditions.
Best Locations
Port Phillip Bay: One of the most popular spots for snapper fishing due to its proximity to Melbourne and the large snapper population.
Western Port Bay: Known for its tidal flows and deeper channels, offering excellent snapper fishing opportunities.
Mornington Peninsula and Geelong: These areas are also popular due to easy access and productive fishing grounds.
Fishing Techniques
Bait Fishing: Using bait like pilchards, squid, and silver whiting is a common technique. Snapper are bottom feeders, so fishing close to the seabed can be effective.
I prefer the silver whiting as it tends to be a more solid bait on the hook and can withstand a few nibbles without falling off.
Lure Fishing: Soft plastics and jigs are also popular, especially when targeting snapper in deeper waters.
Although Snapper are predominately bottom feeders they do on occasion rise up to mid waters. Dropping a slow sinking soft plastic past their noses will produce some good results.
If your fish finder is showing they aren’t on the bottom feeding then try this technique!
Regulations
Fishing Licence: A recreational fishing licence is required to fish all public waters in Victoria. You can obtain a Digital Recreational Fishing Licence here.
Size and Bag Limits: It’s important to adhere to local fishing regulations, which set minimum size limits and bag limits to ensure sustainable fishing. As of the last update, the minimum legal size for snapper in Victoria is 28 cm, and there are specific bag limits depending on the location and size of the fish .
Juvenile snapper (pinky) – Minimum legal size: 28cm
| Common name/s | Snapper |
| Scientific name | Chrysophrys auratus. |
| Minimum legal size | 28cm |
| Bag limit | 10 (of which no more than 3 fish may be equal to or exceed 40cm in length) |
| Additional information | These fish can’t be filleted in or on Victorian waters. They must be kept whole or in carcass form until you’re away from the water. It’s okay to fillet your fish on the cleaning tables at the boat ramp. |
Source: Victorian Fisheries Authority – Snapper
Tips for Success
Early Morning or Late Afternoon: These times are often the most productive for catching snapper as the fish are more active during these periods.
Tide Changes: Fishing during a tide change can increase your chances of success, as snapper are more likely to feed when the water is moving.
For more detailed information on fishing spots, techniques, and current regulations, checking local fishing guides or resources like the Victorian Fisheries Authority can be helpful.
Boat Set Up For Fishing Port Phillip Bay
Fishing for Snapper on land can have its rewards but the real fish to be caught in higher numbers are in deeper water. Nothing beats being able to get to these locations with a boat set-up for the trip.
Here are some minimum requirements when you are looking for the perfect Snapper fishing boat.
- A fish finder is an essential item these days. If you want to get on to the fish early and not spend hours driving around hoping then this is the way to go. Just having the fish finder doesn’t solve your problems though, you need to know how to use it. Do an online course or research how to use one properly before you go, it will change your life.
- Make sure you have rod holders or Snapper Racks so you can have multiple fishing rods in action at all times.
- A decent bait board is essential. Make sure it is big enough to effectively cut your bait and burley.
- Sharp knives are essential! Cutting bait and burley will take its toll on your knives so make sure you have a high quality set and maybe learn how to use a steel or stone to sharpen them. (Working in a butcher shop when I was a kid certainly helped me here!)
- Fishing from a boat in Port Phillip Bay requires an effective anchor. Make sure you have sufficient chain length at the end to assist holding your boat in location. An anchor winch is not mandatory but it will make your life easier.
- Given Snapper are often on the bite early morning or late evening make sure your lighting systems are sufficient. Not only will this help you see what you are doing on your boat but it will help other boat users see you!
At the end of the day you don’t need the biggest boat in the world to have a successful Snapper fishing adventure. You need a boat set-up for Snapper in Port Phillip Bay.
What Snapper Rod Should I Use?
I think most experts would agree that using a 7-8 foot, 6-8 kg medium to heavy action rod will get you by. I use a 6000 Shimano Bait runner reel and like to use 20lb mono with a 40lb fluorocarbon leader. Use the smallest ball sinker (that will take your bait to the bottom) running along the trace and I use 2 no. 5 chemically sharpened hooks. The set up is a basic Snell or Snook set up.
Wanna make your own? Check this video out from Alan at FishingMad.
Snapper Rig Setup | Simple DIY Snell fishing rigs tutorial
Use Your Brains – Port Phillip Bay Fishing Etiquette
If you are new to boating or hire a boat for the day then use your brains, actually it doesn’t matter how long you have been boating for!
There is nothing worse than spending time searching for the perfect fishing location, setting up and dropping your line to find ‘old mate’ pull up next to you and start fishing.
Seriously, you should aim to keep at least 100 metres away from other boats, if not further. If I can hear your conversations and see your tattoos then you are too close.
First in first served, I don’t care that you marked your spot in 1986. You won’t be the only person to have found a good spot, get out earlier next time:)
Don’t Have A Boat? Hire a Boat!
The fastest growing boating trend in Australia is peer-to-peer boat hire services. Marketplaces like MatesBoat™ provide an easy to use online platform for boat owners and non-boat owners to come together as boat mates. MatesBoat™ has several hire boats available for hire in Port Phillip Bay. You can check out the listings here.
